Sure, honey is a superfood full that tastes delicious and has antibacterial and antiviral properties that can help boost your immune system and fight sickness, but there are tons of uses for honey that go beyond adding it to your favorite tea.

Here are 7 unexpected uses for honey:

1. Add a little extra boost to your workout

Honey has been proven to boost athletic performance. It’s as simple as eating a tablespoon of it before heading to the gym for an extra oomph of energy. 

2. Wash your face with it

Raw honey contains enzymes which work to naturally remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin clean, clear, and glowing. Put a dime-sized amount of honey in your hand and add a little bit of warm water. Massage watered honey mixture on your face and rinse. Take it a step further with a homemade honey face mask. Mix one tablespoon of honey with two tablespoons of plain yogurt. Apply to face and rinse off in 20 minutes.

3. Sleep more soundly

Do you often wake up a few hours after going to bed and are unable to get back to sleep? Try mixing a teaspoon of honey with a sprinkling of salt. This will help reset the stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline, and prompt a sounder sleep.

4. Treat mosquito bites.

Miami mosquitos are no joke. Dab a little honey on a mosquito bite to reduce itch and irritation, as well as to help prevent infection.

5. Moisturize your split ends

A tablespoon of honey mixed with a couple of tablespoons of coconut or olive oil makes a great deep conditioning treatment - apply to the bottom two-thirds of your hair, wrap in a warm towel and leave for 20 minutes before rinsing.

6. Get rid of old healed scars

Applying honey directly to your skin can cause it to lighten and reduce the appearance of scars. Mix a teaspoon of honey with a teaspoon of coconut oil or olive oil and massage into the scar, cover with a warm washcloth and leave for around 15 minutes until cool. Repeat once a day until satisfied.

7. Prevent a hangover

Home from a long night of drinking? Don’t go to sleep before having two to three tablespoons of honey mixed with hot water. The natural sugars found in honey will help the body to metabolize and prevent sudden changes in blood sugar levels, as well as help the alcohol metabolism processes. A tablespoon again in the morning helps seal the deal.

Grab The Native Guy's local RAW honey to experience some of these tricks yourself.

Everyone knows bees are responsible for honey production, but did you know that’s not the only thing bees make? Bees also produce propolis. Propolis is a special compound produced by bees. Propolis is a sticky resin-like substance that honeybees create by mixing sap and pollen from tree buds with their saliva. The result is a thick binding substance that bees use to fill cracks in their hive, protect against outside invaders and bacteria, and support the hive’s all-around structure. 

What Does Propolis Do?

While propolis is vital to the survival of the hive, it’s also very beneficial for humans. Propolis has been used for medicinal purposes for decades. The compounds found in propolis contain antioxidants that fight disease and damage within our bodies. Propolis is known to have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Propolis has the ability to help heal wounds and burns faster than other topical treatments, as it speeds up healthy cell growth. Other uses include treating cold sores and herpes outbreaks, preventing oncoming colds, ulcer treatment, arthritis relief, and sore throat remedies. 

How Do You Use Propolis?

Propolis can be mixed into any liquid or gargled on its own. Use 4-5 drops in half a glass of warm liquid once or twice a day. If using propolis to treat a wound, apply it to the skin where necessary using a cotton bud or piece of linen moistened with liquid. Want to try it for yourself? Grab yours here. The Native Guy’s propolis is sold as a tincture in a 1oz bottle.

The Native Guy was recently featured on So Flo Taste segment with Chef Michelle Bernstein who brings her delicious recipes to your kitchen. The Native Guy unveiled some of their new products as Chef Michelle incorporated the honey in the dishes featured in this episode like her grilled mackerel bruschetta and honey marinated pork tenderloin. These recipes can be found on our page here.  

If you want to check out the segment again, we got you covered here!